Well tool



Feb. 28, 1956 s. P.v BEDlNGFlELD WELL TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 8, 195o Feb 28, 1956 s. P. BEDINGFIELD WELL. TOOL Filed April 8, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 la 5. mf, m H E? N V.n n /w a me n a 4 P.

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WELL TOOL Filed April 8, 195o s sheets-sheet s JNVENTOR. /T SAV/M ,Q e/,by'e/O/ e ArfdRA/Ef United States IPatentI WELL TOOL Sterling P. Bedingfield, Bossier City, La. Application April 8, 1950, Serial No. 158,351

15 Claims. (Cl. 166-128) This invention relates to improvements in oil well tools and is directed more in particular to the provision of a tool wherein various tests of a well can be made.

This application is a continuation-in-part of a co-pending application led by me on February 2, 1948, and bearing the Serial Number 5,796, for Well Tool, now abandoned.

For purpose of explanation of the 4advantages of the invention, it is desired to briefly refer to the common method of well testing heretofore employed and to state a few of the disadvantages therein which the present invention will overcome.

When a well is drilled, the outer casing is set to the desired depth to prevent the hole from caving in; and, when the drilling reaches a depth previously calculated to produce oil, certain tests must be made including perforating the casing surrounding the hole to allow the oil from the outer strata to ow into the drilled hole. Since many wells have considerable gas pressure issuing from the oil producing earth strata, it is necessary to flow quantities of drilling mud into the hole in order to control the pressure while the tests for actual oil are being made. This drilling mud consists of a thick, viscous, chemically treated earth mass which is pumped into the Well or allowed to flow of its own weight according to the amount of gas pressure present. When the well has been tested, this mud must be circulated out to place the well in condition for pumping.

To perform the above-operation of testing, it is usually the custom to extend another string of pipe inside the casing which may be either drill pipe or tubing. On the lower end of the string is a packer member which em ploys rubber rings which may be expanded from the earths surface to press against the inner side walls of the casing to close oif the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling mud now between the drill pipe and the outer casing which, to this point, has been pressing directly against the formation to render the same inactive. When this pressure has been released by setting the packer member, the pressure of the formation forces its fluid, together with the drilling mud trapped below the packer, into perforations provided in the tool, Where it is guided upwardly through the length of drill pipe toward the earths surface. Samles of the fluid may then be taken to determine the amount of oil present.

In former testing tools of this type, it has been the custom to employ a mechanically operated check valve in the tool whereby the ow through the inner string of drill pipe might be cut off at any given time. In many cases, however, the well makes considerable gas which immediately goes to the surface, leaving the heavier fluids such as oil, salt water, or some combination thereof, at the bottom of the string of pipe. In order to secure a sample of these uids for testing it is necessary to close the lower check valve and remove the entire string of drill pipe. It is readily apparent that such an operation is extremely hazardous since quantities of the gaseous nid are spilled over the workmen and rig when the lengths ice of pipe are disioined at the surface. Should the operation fail to trap suicient uid for testing, the entire process must be repeated.

Occasionally it is desired to acidize a well; tht is, to pump an acid into the inner string of drill pipe and force it out below the packer member into the formation where it combines with lime and other foreign bodies and increases the ow of oil from the surrounding strata into the hole. The acidizing of a well has heretofore required a separate tool and consequently placed additional expense upon the customer in that the tool used for the initial testing had to be removed from the bottom of the string of drill pipe and replaced by a special tool for acidizing purposes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a well testing tool ofthe type referred to calculated to facilitate the testing of a well both more eiciently and with greater safety than heretofore known.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well testing tool having a structure permitting the circulation of the drilling mud from the casing into the drill pipe at a point above the packer member whereby the trapped fluid may be circulated to the earths surface without theV removal of the string of drill pipe from the well.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tool for testing oil from an oil well which also serves as a tool for acidizing the well.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a Well testing tool having a disengageable, prior art packer member and wherein, when the latter is disengaged, the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling mud is placed on the productive formation within the well so as to render the same inactive. In other words, the lighter fluids are auto matically forced out of the drill pipe and, at the point of equalization, pump pressure may be applied to force the balance of the fluid out of the drill pipe so that it may be discharged under complete control at the earths surface. There is an arrangement in the tool of a special retaining valve which may be locked so that the mud inside the drill pipe may seek its own level. In this way a relatively dry string of pipe may be removed from the well when the test is completed.

To put it another way, one of the main objects of the invention is to provide a means whereby Huid, whatever its content, may be readily and safely removed from the drill pipe and replaced by a heavier substance, such as drilling mud, before the pipe is Withdrawn from the well. As stated, this is particularly important since the formation is very apt to cause the oil or other uids to be blown from the well once the test is made.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing in which like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Fig. l is a broken cross sectional view of the upper end of an embodiment of the invention in a well testing tool.

Fig. 2 is substantially the same view as Fig. 1, but showing the inner working parts in another position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged broken view of an upper ball check valve.

Fig. 4 is a broken sectional View intended to be a continuation of the view illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a broken View showing the main valve illustrated in Fig. 4 in open position.

Fig. 6 is a broken sectional view showing the packer member entering an outer casing.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the packer member expanded against the inner side walls of the casing.

- Fig. 8` isia broken sectional viejw intended as a conA tinuation of the view shown in Fig. 4, and showing the upper end of a prior art packer member attached.

Fig. 9 is a partially broken view intended as a continuaton .Gf the View illustrated in Fig. 8

I n order that the severalviews of the drawing might be more readily understood in the light of the following description, the tool has been divided into three sections designated respectively by the letters A, B and C, and given the terminology of actuating sub, main valve sub and packer, respectively.

The actuating sub A consists of an outer sleeve 26 threadedly joined at its upper end to a packing gland 21 having a series of packing rings 22 mounted in a counterbore 23 and held in position by an adjustable packing nut 24. The lower end of the packing gland 21 is provided with an integrally formed ring 25 having a J-slot 26 formed in one of the side walls thereof. The lower end of the outer sleeve 2t) threadedly engages a spring body member 27 which also has an integrally formed ring 28 and a J-.slot 29 similar to that on the packing gland 21.

Extended downwardly through the packing gland 21, the outer sleeve 20 and the spring body 2'7 is a two-piece, hollow mandrel 30 having a tubing adapter collar 31 mounted on its upper end. The lower end of the mandrel 30 rests on a thrust bearing 32 which in turn is urged against a compression spring 33 mounted within the spring body 27. At the point of joining of the two-piece mandrel 3@ is a ball check valve 34 and seat 34. Positioned above and below the joint of the mandrel are elongated ports 35 and 36, the purposes of which will be pointed out later in this description.

The lower end of the actuating sub A is threadedly joined to an adapter 38 supporting another mandrel 39 constituting part of the main valve sub B, as seen in Fig. 4. Encircling this mandrel 39 is a slidable outer sleeve 40 carrying an inner spring 41 and a thrust bearing 42 arranged in the same manner as that of the actuating sub member. This outer sleeve 40 is joined to the main valve body 43 by an adapter 44. The main valve body 43 is provided with a packing gland 45 and a take-up nut 46.

The lower end of the mandrel 39 is provided with an enlarged head 47 having a J-.slot 48 cut on its circumferential edge and detachably engaged with a J-pin 49. Threadedly joined in axial alignment with the mandrel 39 is the main valve stem 50 which carries a longitudinal bore 51 therethrough terminating in a transverse bore 52. The valve stem is provided with ilat, opposite sides which are preferably ground and polished to receive the flat valve cover plates 53. These plates are normally urged against the stem 50 by a pair of springs 54 positioned in an outer ring 55.

The lower end of the main valve sub B is arranged to carry a choke 56 having any diameter internal bore as desired. The packer adapter 57 is threaded internally to receive the upper end of the packer mandrel 58, as shown in Fig. 8. The packer C is of the prior art type and carries a set of expansible rubber rings 59 mounted on a ring holder 60, the upper end of the ring holder being formed into a valve seat 61 adapted for engagement by the male valve 62 positioned on the lower end of the packer adapter 57. The packer C has the usual outer body 63 and a slip ring 64 provided with slips 65 adapted to ride in tapered grooves 66 in the body 63. The Slip Yring also carries a set of wiper. .Springs 67, as Shown in Fig. 9, adapted to ride the inner side walls of the casing as the tool is being lowered into the same. It will be noted that the set of Wiper springs 67 are mounted on an outer sleeve 68 through which the continuous packer mandrel 58 is extended. This lower sleeve 68 is provided with a `Jfslot 6g adapted to receive the Japin 70 mounted on the packer mandrel 58. The lower end of the sleeve 68 is provided with a collar 71 adapted to receive a length of pipe 72 having perforations 73 by 4 which the oil from the bottom of the well might enter the tool.

In setting up the tool for a typical operation, let us assume that the upper end of the same is joined to a string of drill pipe by the use of the upper adapter 31 and the entire string is then lowered into the casing of the well, with the bottomrnost perforated tail pipe 72 being extended into what is believed to be the area in which oil from the surrounding strata has collected. The bottom part of the tool enters the casing D in the manner illustrated in Fig. 6 with the springs of Wipers 67 guiding the tool and offering a slight resistance against the downward movement thereof.

At the upper end of the tool the actuating mandrel A is set in the manner illustrated with the mandrel 30 in the downward position and being held in this position by the use of the J-pin '74 held in the slot 29. At this position the upper port 35 in the mandrel is within the packing gland 21 thereby closing off all flow through this port.

When the proper depth for testing has been reached, the packer C is set by rotating the entire string of pipe suiciently to dislodge Ithe J-pin 7i). When this is done the weight of the body 63 falls downwardly, pushing the slips 65 into engagement with the inner side walls of the casing D. The weight of the pipe is then lowered, closing the valve 62 against the seat 6l of the packer and the entire weight of the string of pipe and the testing tool is supported by the slips 65. At the present setting all pressure of the uid or gas is closed off below the packer C and must enter the perforations 73 of the lower tail pipe 72 and come up through the tool. By this setting of the packer the weight of the drilling mud placed between the casing and drill pipe is held away from the formation and allows the pressure therein to force the mud trapped below the packer, together with the iiuid produced by the formation, to enter the perforations 73. lt will be noted that when the weight of the pipe is lowered to set the packer C, the spring 41 in the main valve sub body 4t) is compressed, thus opening the main valve to the position shown in Fig. 5. The iiuid may now pass upwardly through the tool into the upper two-piece mandrel 39 where it dislodges the ball 34 from the seat 34' and passes thence to the upper string of drill pipe where it may be tested for the actual oil content. It will be noted that the port 35 of the mandrel is in the packing gland 21, hence the iiuid is not lost into the casing.

It is well to note here that the features of the above described main valve are` particularly pointed out and claimed in a prior Patent No. 2,326,867 and assigned to me. lt is also pointed out in this patent that the main valve stem 50 may be locked in the open position without disturbing the settings of the other components of the tool.

Let us suppose now that the well, instead of producing an actual ow of fluid upward through the tool for testing, makes considerable gas with only a very small portion of oil producing uid. It wil be readily apparent that such fluid would not be pushed to the surface by the gas pressure but would slowly accumulate at the bottom of the tool. As pointed out at the beginning of this description, in former tools of this type, the main valve had to be closed and the entire string of drill pipe had to be removed from the well in order to reach the small accumulation of oil at the bottom thereof for testing. Should the test be held for too short a time, it can be seen that the string of pipe would have to be lowered again into the well, and left for a longer period in order to collect a sample.

ln the present invention such a hazardous and expensive operation is completely overcome, as will now be pointed out in a description of such operation.

With the main valve open the fluid under gas pressure from the formation is passing upwardly through the tool, dislodging the ball 34 from its seat 35 in the upper actuating sub mandrel 30 as stated above. When it is believed that suiicient Huid has passed for taking a sample, the operator of the tool rotates the string of pipe sufciently to dislodge the J-pin 74, on the mandrel 30, from its position in the J-slot 29, and lifts the mandrel 30 upwardly to a position where the port 35 is out of the packing gland 21 as shown in Fig. 2. In this position, the pressure of the drilling mud in thecasing annulus is directed into the port 35 and attempts to go downwardly through the tool. It is held in check, however, by the ball 34 as it seats itself on the seat 34.

It can now be seen that whatever uid has entered the upper string of drill pipe is trapped by the mud which has entered below it. By applying pump pressure now to the mud outside the drill pipe in the casing, the trapped fluid in the drill pipe is slowly brought to the surface under complete control and Without disturbing the packer setting or other components of the tool.

Let it be further supposed that such operation fails to produce iiuid, or enough thereof suicient to make a test: the operator simply lowers the pipe and the mandrel to its lower, locked position and the process is repeated. The importance of the ball check in the mandrel 30 cannot be overemphasized. The simple operation just described with the present tool would require hours of time and no end of expense should tools of the prior art be employed under the same conditions.

Another use of the tool is to permit pressure to be applied by the drilling mud to the productive strata at a point below the packer. In `this instance the mandrel 30 of the upper actuating sub A would be locked in the lower position as shown in Fig. l and the pressure from the surface would be circulated down through the drill pipe and the tool. When the ow reached the check valve 34, it would be by-passed through the port 35 into the surrounding annulus defined by the outer sleeve 20 and be forced back into the mandrel 30 through the lower port 36 where it is free to flow through the other components of the tool toward the main valve. As it enters the main valve stem 50 through the drilled holes 51 and 52, it forces the plate valves 53 apart, compressing lthe retaining springs 54 and ilows down through the packer member C and out the lower perforated tail pipe 72.

The above mentioned operation could also be performed when it is desired to acidize a well. It will be remembered that this acidzing process has heretofore been done by a special tool since all of the prior art tools have no provision for check valves which may be selectively operated in either direction. In the present invention all of the steps necessary in complete well testing, including acidzing, may be performed with ease and without removing the tool from its position in the well.

Let it be supposed now, that the uid samples have been taken and it is desired to check the actual productivity of the well over a twenty-four hour period. The prior art method has been to remove the testing tool altogether and install a well pump. Should the pump indicate a need for acidzing or other operation to increase the ow of oil, the pump would have to be removed and the prior art testing tool re-inserted and prepared for such operation.

From the above description of construction and operation of the present invention, it is readily apparent that such expensive and hazardous procedure is unnecessary. By setting the slips and the packer C, all pressure of the drilling mud in the casing is cut olf from the lower productive formation as already described. The string of pipe is lowered still further and rotated to lock the main valve 50 in the open position by means of the J -pin 47 and the J-slot 48. This provides a clear passageway for iiuid from the perforated tail pipe 72 to the surface of the earth. The pump mechanism is then lowered into the upper string of tubing and stopped at a point just above the joining point of the testing tool and the pipe string and the well is pumped in the usual manner and as long as desired. Should it be necessary to perform other operations to the well before the same is set up for production, the pump is removed and the further tests or operations are carried on in the usual manner. Such procedure could not be followed with the use of tools of the prior art.

While I have described the use of the invention in a combination of three separate assemblies, it will be understood by those familiar with well testing that these assemblies may be broken down and used separately as the case may demand. For instance, the entire actuating sub A may be disjoined from the adapter 38 and the drill pipe or tubing screwed in its place. The main valve sub B may also be removed from the packer member 57. It has been found that the use of the upper actuating sub A is usually unnecessary in making tests of shallow wells where the gas pressure from the formation is usually suflicient to bring iluid samples to the surface for testing. In deep wells, say over five or six thousand feet, the actuating sub A permits the complete control of the liuid sample as described above. Both the packer member C and the main valve assembly B might also be used separately in a pipe string or together according to the nature of the tests to be made.

In drilling a well hole, most of the earth formations encountered are relatively soft and require a casing to be lowered with the hole to prevent the hole from caving in. For this reason the above described invention discloses one form of prior art casing packer which is provided with slip members having serrated teeth which press against the inner side walls of the casing to support the entire pipe string at a depth in the casing according to the manner described.

It is to be understood, however, that this casing packer might as easily be exchanged for an open hole packer. Such a packer is frequently used where the earth formations encountered during the process of drilling are iirm enough so that the setting of a casing is not necessary. This packer provides al1 of the features of the casing packer except that it includes a length of tail pipe which rests on the bottom of the well hole; and as the pipe string is lowered, the weight of the string expands the rubber packer to press it against the walls of the formation suiciently hard to block all uid passage except through the tool itself. Every operation described herein using the casing packer may also be performed in the same manner with an open hole packer.

Such a structure as described above has proven to be a safe and extremely economical device. The various moving parts essential to its operation are housed in outer sleeves which may be readily disjoined for repair or replacement; and each of the above described sections A, B, and C constitute separate assemblies which may be threadedly attached to other tools and assemblies or used separately as the nature of the test may demand.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that my invention provides a needed tool of great convenience and usefulness, and that while I have illustrated and described my invention in a very practical embodiment thereof without attempting to illustrate or describe all other embodiments and adaptations which I contemplate, various changes, adaptations and embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of my invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination in a well testing tool having a packer member and a main check valve, an upper actuating sub member, a packing gland in said sub member, a hollow mandrel extended through said packing gland and mounted for movement to selected positions within said sub member, said submember also including a sleeve surrounding said mandrel and having an inner wall spaced from said mandrel to provide a fluid conducting passageway, a check valve within said mandrel, upper and lower fluid ports in said mandrel positioned respectively above and below said check valve for'downward flow of iiuid to by-pass saidl check valve through said ports when said mandrel is in one position, said packing gland being arranged to close said lower port from fluid flow when said mandrel is moved to another position.

2. In combination in a well testing tool having a packer member and a main check valve, an upper actuating sub member, a hollow mandrel slidably mounted for movement to raised and lowered positions within said sub member, said sub-member including a sleeve surrounding said mandrel and having an inner Wall spaced from said mandrel to provide a iiuid conducting passageway, a check valve within said mandrel, upper and lower fluid ports in said mandrel positioned respectively above and below said check valve for downward flow of fluid to by-pass said check valve through said ports when said mandrel is in the lowered position, a packing gland on the upper end of said sub member and encircling said mandrel, said packing gland being arranged to close said lower port from fluid flow when said mandrel is in raised position.

3. In combination in a well testing tool having a packer member and a main check valve, an upper actuating sub member, a hollow mandrel slidably mounted within said sub member, said sub-member including a sleeve surrounding said mandrel and having an inner wall spaced from said mandrel to provide a fluid conducting passageway, means for locking said mandrel within said sub member in raised and lowered positions beneath the earths surface, a check valve within said mandrel, upper and lower uid ports in said mandrel positioned respectively above and below said check valve for downward ow of uid to by-pass said check valve through said ports when said mandrel is locked in the lowered position, a packing gland on the upper end of said sub member and encircling said mandrel, said packing gland being arranged to close said lower port from fluid ow when said mandrel is locked in raised position.

4. In a well testing tool, a sub member, a hollow mandrel mounted for longitudinal movement within said submember, means for selectively locking said mandrel in raised and lowered position, a check valve in said mandrel normally permitting only an upward flow of fluid therethrough, fluid ports positioned on said mandrel above and below said check valve, said ports providing a by-pass for downward llow of fluid through said tool when said mandrel is in lowered position.

5. In combination in a well testing tool having a packer member, a sub member attached to an upper end of said packer member, a hollow mandrel mounted for selective longitudinal movement to raised and lowered positions within said sub member, a check valve in said mandrel normally permitting only an upward ow of Huid therethrough, fluid ports positioned on said mandrel above and below said check valve, said ports providing a by-pass for downward flow of fluid through said tool when said mandrel is in lowered position, the upper port communicating with an area between the tool and the casing when said mandrel is moved to raised position to permit a volume of drilling mud supported in this area by said packer member to be pumped upwardly through said port, whereby a dry string of pipe may be drawn to the surface when the test is completed.

6. In combination in a well testing tool having a packer member, a sub member attached to an upper end of said packer member, a hollow mandrel mounted for longitudinal movement within said sub member, means for selectively locking said mandrel in raised and lowered position, a check valve in said mandrel normally permitting only an upward flow of uid therethrough, Huid ports positioned on said mandrel above and below said check valve, said ports providing a by-pass for downward iiow of uid through said tool when said mandrel is in lowered position, the upper port communicating with an area between the tool and the casing when said .mandrel is moved to raised position to permit a volume of drilling mud supported in this area by said packer member to be pumped upwardly through said port, whereby a dry string of pipe may be drawn to the surface when the test is completed 7. ln a well testing tool, a sub member, a mandrel having an end slidably mounted within said sub member, spring means normally urging said mandrel into raised position, a thrust bearing positioned between the lower end of said mandrel and said spring means, an inner check valve in said mandrel positioned intermediate the ends thereof, and flow ports above and below said check valve constituting a by-pass when said mandrel is in the lowered position for the ilow of liuid around said check valve.

8. ln a well testing tool, a sub member, a packer mechanism and a main valve, a tubular mandrel having an end rotatably and slidably mounted within said sub member, said sub-member including a sleeve surrounding said mandrel and having an inner wall spaced from said mandrel to provide a uid conducting passageway, means for selectively locking said mandrel within said sub member in raised and lowered positions, spring means normally urging said mandrel into a raised position, a thrust bearing positioned between the lower end of said mandrel and said spring means whereby said main valve and said packer mechanism will remain stationary while said mandrel is moved, an inner check valve in said mandrel positioned intermediate the ends thereof, and ilow ports in said mandrel above and below said check valve constituting a by-pass when said mandrel is in the lowered position for the flow of liuid around said check valve.

9. ln combination in a well testing tool having a main valve mechanism and a packer mechanism, a sub member removably affixed to the upper end of said main valve mechanism for attachment to the lower end of a string of pipe by which said tool may be supported in a well, a mandrel having an end rotatably and slidably mounted within said sub member, spring means normally urging said mandrel into raised position, a thrust bearing positioned between the lower end of said mandrel and said spring means for movement of said mandrel independently of said main valve and said packer mechanism, an inner check valve in said mandrel positioned intermediate the ends thereof, flow ports above and below said check valve constituting a by-pass when said mandrel is in the lowered position for the flow of lluid around said check valve and into the well formation at a point below said packer member, and means for controlling the ow of a liuid sample upwardly through said tool.

l0. In combination in a well testing tool having a main valve mechanism and a packer mechanism, a sub member removably affixed to the upper end of said main valve mechanism for attachment to the lower end of a string of pipe by which said tool may be supported in a well, a mandrel having an end rotatably and slidably mounted within said sub member, means for selectively locking said mandrel within said sub member in raised and lowered position, spring means normally urging said mandrel into raised position, a thrust bearing positioned between the lower end of said mandrel and said spring means whereby said main valve and said packer mechanism will remain stationary while said mandrel is moved, an inner check valve in said mandrel positioned intermediate the ends thereof, ow ports above and below said check valve constituting a by-pass when said mandrel is in the lowered position for the llow of liuid around said check valve and into the well formation at a point below said packer member, and means for controlling the ilow of a iiuid sample upwardly through said tool.

1l. An improved well testing device for use on a check valve and packer assembly, comprising a sub member for attachment to the upper end of said check valve assembly, a mandrel having its lower end mounted for rotatable and slidable movement within said sub member and its upper end threadedly engaging the lower end ofa string of pipe by which said device is supported in the well, said sub-member including a sleeve surrounding said mandrel and having an inner wall spaced from said mandrel to provide a fluid conducting passageway, means on said packer assembly for supporting said device and the string of pipe by friction against the inner side walls of the casing into which said device is extended, means on said mandrel for the passage of an acid or other uid from the earths surface through the pipe string and the tool into the area defined by the tool and the casing below said packer member, means on said mandrel for the passage of a volume of iluid supported in the casing area by said packer member through said mandrel to lift a iluid sample trapped in the same to the earths surface for testing, and means for finally pumping said drilling mud or other fluid supported by said packer member to the earths surface, whereby said pipe string of pipe may be disjointed in a relatively dry condition.

12. In a device for testing an oil Well having a main check Valve assembly and a packer assembly, additional valve means comprising a sub member for attachment to said main check valve assembly on one end and to the lower end of a string of pipe supporting said device on its opposite end, said sub member` being provided with an inner hollow mandrel rotatably mounted therein and slidable longitudinally into upper and lower positions, said sub-member including a sleeve surrounding said mandrel and having an inner wall spaced from said mandrel to provide a fluid conducting passageway, means for locking said mandrel in each of said positions, a ball and seat positioned in said mandrel and arranged to check the downward flow of uid through the same when said mandrel is locked in one position, means for by-passing said ball and seat to direct a uid to a point below the same and into the formation of the well below said packer assembly when said mandrel is locked in another position, said rst named position also permitting the circulation of a uid placed in the casing area of the well and supported above said packer member through said mandrel to lift a iluid sample to the surface for testing.

13. A well testing tool comprising an actuating sub assembly, a main valve assembly and a packer assembly threadedly joined together, said packer assembly being provided with a length of perforated tail pipe on the lower end thereof, means for attaching the joined assemblies to a length of pipe in a well for testing, said actuating sub assembly comprising an outer sleeve and a packing gland, a hollow mandrel slidably and rotatably mounted within said sleeve through said packing gland, the hollow of said mandrel providing a fluid passageway from said perforated tail pipe to the upper string of pipe to which said tool is attached, said sub-member including a sleeve surrounding said mandrel and having an inner Wall spaced from said mandrel to provide a uid conducting passageway, a check valve in said mandrel, flow ports in said mandrel positioned above and below said check valve, means for locking said mandrel in a raised position to draw said upper ports from Within said packing gland to permit a uid ow upwardly through said 10 pipe string from a point outside said mandrel and above said packer member for directing a fluid downwardly around said check valve and out said perforated tail pipe when said mandrel is locked in a lowered position.

14. The combination in a well testing tool of an upper sub assembly and a centrally disposed main valve assembly and a lower packer assembly threadedly joined together in operative relationship for lowering into a well hole, said upper sub assembly including a tubular body and a packing gland, said tubular body having an inner wall spaced from said mandrel to provide a uid conducting passageway, a hollow mandrel on said upper sub assembly having its upper end arranged for threaded attachment to a string of pipe by which said tool is lowered into the well, the lower end of said mandrel being passed through said packing gland and arranged for both rotative and vertical movement within the upper end of the tubular body of said upper sub assembly, a ball check valve in said mandrel permitting only an upward ow of fluid through said tool, port holes positioned in said mandrel above and below said check valve, said port holes constituting a by-pass around said check valve to permit a flow of uid in either direction when said mandrel is in the down position, means for raising said mandrel independently of the body of said upper sub assembly to expose the upper of said port holes to the annulus between said tool and the side walls of a well hole and to position the lower of said port holes in said packing gland to close said by-pass and permit only a ow of uid through said check valve.

15. In combination in a well testing tool having a main valve assembly attached to the upper end of a packer assembly, an upper actuating sub assembly arranged for attachment to the upper end of said main valve assembly,

t a hollow mandrel having one end slidably mounted within said upper actuating sub assembly and the opposite end arranged for attachment to a string of pipe for supporting said tool in a well hole, said sub assembly including a sleeve surrounding said mandrel and having an inner wall spaced from said mandrel to provide a iluid conducting passageway, means for locking said mandrel in upper and lower positions in said actuating sub assembly, passage means for the flow of iiuid both upwardly and downwardly through said tool including said packer assembly and said main valve assembly when said mandrel is locked in its lower position, and means permitting upward flow of uid through said tool and blocking downward flow of fluid through said tool when said mandrel is raised to its upper position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,709,940 Johnston Apr. 23, 1929 1,905,208 Badgett Apr. 25, 1933 2,337,752 Johnston Dec. 28, 1943 

